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l ATENT FFICE.

JOHN W. KENNEDY, OF \VILLINGHAM, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO M. A.SAXTON, OF SAME PLACE.

PISTON-PACKING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,433, datedSeptember 277, 1898. Application filed September 9, 1897. Serial No.651,118. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN W. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Willingham, in the county of Worth and State of Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piston-Packings;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to piston-packings; and the object is toprovide a packing of this character which will stand wear and tear,lubricate the piston or other rod which Works through it, and provide asteam and water tight joint. 7

With this object in view the invention consists, broadly, in a packingcomposed of strings of cotton, hemp, asbestos, or any other fibrousmaterial, said strings being rubbered or gummed separately and saturatedin a solution of graphite and lubricating-oil.

In making the packing I first take several strings of fibrousmaterial-such as cotton,

hcmp,'or asbestos-and provide them with a serving of rubber, which liesupon the string in the form of separated flakes in order to insure anincreased flexibility of the string. I then saturate the strings in asolution of graphite and lubricating-oil. The advantages of a packing ofthis composition are, first, that it is more convenient for use in anysize stuffing-box than round, square, or any other design of rubberpacking and is more durable for the reason that the fiber all runs thesame Way or practically parallel and when it becomes heated makes asolid ring of elastic packing. Another convenience and advantage is thatone size will fit all sizes from the smallest valve to the largestpiston-rod, as it will be sold in rolls or hanks, and any quantity ofthe strands can be separated from the rolls or hanks and used asdesired. This is a great advantage over the rubber packings, as the mainobjection to them is, as all consumers know, the necessity of having tocarry the different sizes in stock to fit every size of valve orstuffing-box.

A packing of the material above described is antifriction, as thegraphite is equally distributed throughout the packing and is inconstant contact with the piston-rod or valvestem.

The packing retains its elasticity, as the rubber is equally distributedthrough the packing, and a slight pressure on the gland or packing-nutwill at all times stop any leak, thereby giving always a perfectsteam-joint.

. What I claim is- A packing for the purpose set forth consisting ofstrings provided with a serving of separated rubber flakes,and saturatedin a solution of graphite and lubricating-oil, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN W. KENNEDY.

Witnesses I. LIPTAN, IsAAo HOWARD.

